While
the 2015 Hyundai Sonata
is a completely redesigned vehicle for the new model year, the Sonata Hybrid
for 2015 continues to use the previous-generation body.
Now, it
appears that the company will launch the hybrid version of the current Sonata with the option of a
plug-in hybrid model as well as one fitted with the next generation of the
company's conventional hybrid-electric powertrain.
The
cars, he said, will use Korean-made battery packs, electric motors, inverters,
and other electronic components--making them very price-competitive in the
market.
This
has led to a certain amount of speculation about what direction Hyundai plans to take with
its hybrid program.
Now, it
appears that the company will launch the hybrid version of the current Sonata with the option of a
plug-in hybrid model as well as one fitted with the next generation of the
company's conventional hybrid-electric powertrain.
A
report on Korean Car Blog (via ChargedEVs) notes that Yang Woong-Chul, Hyundai's vice-chairman for
research and development, said earlier this month that plug-in hybrid versions
of not only the current Sonata but a next-generation Kia Optima as well would be released
next year.
Hyundai had showed a plug-in
hybrid concept model, the Blue-Will, fully six years ago. That was originally
anticipated to lead to a production car two or three years after the launch of
the company's first hybrids as 2011 models.
The
first generation of Hyundai's
hybrid system, however, wasn't particularly smooth, leading to a fast update
for the 2013 model year.
The Sonata Hybrid and
also the Kia Optima
Hybrid, which uses the same powertrain, have been essentially unchanged from
the 2013 through 2016 model year.
The Hyundai executive's announced
would seem to indicate that we will see the updated Sonata offered as a
hybrid version for the 2016 model year, as well as a plug-in hybrid.
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